Friends, Families, & Students Celebrate "Rodrigue: Houston"

Friends of George Rodrigue Preview Party

It's been an action packed week in Houston for the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts! On April 22nd, we were delighted to welcome supporters to the "Friends of George Rodrigue" Champagne Preview Party and Fundraiser. Guests joined us to celebrate the opening of the new retrospective show Rodrigue: Houston and to raise funds for art education outreach in their community during the run of the exhibition.

Click here to read more about the "Friends of George Rodrigue" Champagne party and see the photo album.

Community Art Day and Grand Opening

Saturday, April 25th, was the grand opening for Rodrigue: Houston! GRFA provided family-friendly art activities including Blue Dog masks, coloring sheets, and face painting. Upcoming Community Art Days are May 16, June 13, and July 4. We hope to see you there!

Community Art Days are a great way for families to explore the exhibition.

Free Field Trips for Houston Schools

To coincide with the new exhibition, GRFA is providing free field trips to over 20 local schools to visit Rodrigue: Houston. Students have already begun visiting the show to see firsthand original works from George Rodrigue's career and to participate in art activities that encourage observation skills, storytelling, and the principles of visual art.

Students learn about the career of George Rodrigue and make their own works of art.

Art Contest Winners Share $45,000

On Saturday, April 18th, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts awarded $45,000 in scholarships to 15 students from across Louisiana.

At a special luncheon in New Orleans, these talented juniors and seniors accepted their scholarships, had their original artwork on display, and were treated to special presentation by author Wendy Rodrigue. 

Congratulations to our 2015 Art Contest Finalists!

The 15 scholarship winners with Jacques Rodrigue at the Art Contest Luncheon in New Orleans.

Sterling Anderson, our 1st place senior, was awarded a $6,000 scholarship.

Skyla Blady placed first for the juniors. Her painting will be featured in posters for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundations' upcoming free music festivals.

Click here to view a complete list of the scholarship winners in the 2015 Art Contest.

GRFA Joining Chevron STEAM Zone at French Quarter Festival

The 2015 French Quarter Festival is coming this weekend, featuring over 1,700 musicians performing on 23 stages throughout the the historic French Quarter. The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is excited to once again join the festivities at the Chevron STEAM Zone!

What is the Chevron STEAM Zone? It's a place where families can participate in hands-on projects that bring together science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

GRFA will be providing free creative projects on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, at the Natchez Wharf. We hope to see you at the 2015 French Quarter Festival!

NAEA Honors Jacques Rodrigue at National Convention

NAEA Honors Jacques Rodrigue at National Convention

The National Art Education Association (NAEA) presented Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, with the 2015 Distinguished Service Outside the Profession Award. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievement by individuals outside the field of art education and was presented during the NAEA National Convention in New Orleans last week.

(From left to right) Denise Tullier-Holly, President of Louisiana Art Education Association; Dennis Inhulsen, President of the National Art Education Association; Jacques Rodrigue and Mallory Page Rodrigue

NAEA President Dennis Inhulsen stated, "Jacques Rodrigue exemplifies the highly qualified art educators active in education today: leaders, teachers, students, scholars, and advocates who give their best to their students and the profession."

It was not long ago in 2012 that George Rodrigue also received the same award from the NAEA, making it an especially significant honor for Jacques and GRFA.

VIP Preview Party in Houston

The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts will be heading to Houston from April 25 - July 5, 2015, to coincide with Rodrigue: Houston, a new exhibition featuring the Blue Dogs, Louisiana landscapes, and Cajun paintings of George Rodrigue.


GRFA will be hosting a VIP Preview Party for the exhibition on April 22nd. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to our arts education outreach in the Houston community. Tickets are available online now!